Japan approves missile defense system amid NKorea threat

In this Aug. 29, 2017, file photo, Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force PAC-3 surface to air interceptors at the U.S. Yokota Air Base on the outskirts of Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Tokyo (AP) — Japan’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to purchase a set of costly land-based U.S. missile combat systems to increase the country’s defense capabilities amid escalating threats from North Korea.

The approval will allow the Defense Ministry to buy two Aegis Ashore systems to add to Japan’s current two-step missile defense consisting of Patriot batteries and Aegis-equipped destroyers.

“North Korea’s nuclear and missile development has become a greater and more imminent threat for Japan’s national security, and we need to drastically improve our ballistic missile defense capability to protect Japan continuously and sustainably,” a statement issued by the Cabinet said.

The deployment will add to growing defense costs in Japan as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government pushes to allow the military a greater international role and boost its missile combat capability.

Defense officials say two Aegis Ashore units can cover Japan entirely by using advanced missile interceptors such as SM-3 Block IIA that was jointly developed by Japan and the U.S., and would cost around 200 billion yen ($1.8 billion), though they have not released exact figures.

Officials say they hope the systems are ready for operation by 2023.

Officials refused to disclose cost details until a planned release of a 2018 budget, in which defense spending is expected to rise to a record.

Abe has said he fully backs U.S. President Donald Trump’s policy of keeping all options on the table, including possible military actions, against the North. Abe has vowed to bolster Japan’s security cooperation and increase use of advanced U.S. missile defense equipment.

Defense officials said they chose Aegis Ashore over an option of Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, because of its cheaper cost and versatility. Typically, a THAAD setup comes with 48 missiles and 9 mobile launch pads, priced about $1.1 billion, and Japan would need at least six of those to defend the country, officials said.

The deployment of THAAD in South Korea triggered protests from China as Beijing sees it a security threat.

Aegis Ashore can be compatible with the ship-based Aegis systems that are on four Japanese destroyers and also could work with SM-6 interceptors capable of shooting down cruise missiles, defense officials said. Japan plans to add four more Aegis-equipped destroyers in coming years.

The U.S. has installed the land-fixed Aegis in Romania and Poland, and Japan will be a third to host the system.